CLAS Religion

Religion

The study of Religion is open to everyone regardless of background or beliefs. The
program is designed to familiarize students with the history, texts, and traditions
that form the basis of religious expression in Western and other cultures. Through
their studies, students will learn to appreciate the diversity found among religious
traditions, to recognize the complexity of religious thought, and to respect the freedom
of religious expression. This training will help prepare students to make responsible
decisions in their communities, society, and beyond. Students will be encouraged to
examine actively their own moral, spiritual, and ethical foundations and to clarify
for themselves what role religious values will take in their personal development.

The study of Religion is valued in a number of occupational fields including banking,
business law, and social and governmental services. A major in Religion will give
students the necessary background for entrance into seminary or other graduate study
in the field of Religion. A Religion major is particularly useful for those planning
to enter the Christian ministry, Christian Education, or other church-related vocations.
Interested students may wish to participate in the Pre-Ministry Program.

Religion & Church Leadership

The Religion and Church Leadership major is an interdisciplinary degree designed to
help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for successful ministry,
lay or professional, in the Christian church. Students will take a core set of classes
helping them establish a solid foundation in biblical studies. They will also choose
from a variety of electives in religion, providing further background in Bible and
Christian history and thought. Along with the Religion classes, students will take
courses from other disciplines selected to round out their knowledge of cultural and
social dynamics as and of ethics. Finally, students will learn the fundamental skills
in communication and management in order to help them develop skills necessary to
succeed in leading ministry programs.

CMU has a chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society for Religious Studies
and Theology (advisor: Dr. Daryl Jefferies).

Religion Minors

Religion Minor

RL314 World Religions Today (3)Electives in Religion (12 hours)

One (1) from the following:

RL201 Old Testament (3)RL202 New Testament (3)

Religion and Church Leadership Minor (18 hours)

RL201 Old Testament (3)RL202 New Testament (3)RL203 Explorations of Christian Thought (3)RL205 Introduction to Church Leadership (3)RL268/368 Internship or Field Experience (3)Elective in Religion

Religion Courses

RL122 Religion and the Human Adventure. 3 hours. This is an introduction to the ways in which religion provides meaning and
purpose for human life. The course includes a study of a variety of religious traditions,
beliefs, and practices. Prerequisite to all upper-level courses in Religion.

RL190 Special Topics. 1-3 hours. This is an introductory course on a topic not included in the regular
curriculum. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

RL201 Old Testament. 3 hours.This is a survey of Old Testament literature, concentrating on the faith
of Israel and its relevance for today. Fall.

RL202 New Testament. 3 hours. This is a survey of New Testament literature, concentrating on the faith
of the early church and its relevance for today. Spring.

RL203 Explorations in Christian Thought. 3 hours. Students examine the resources of the Christian faith with special concern
for its relevance to twentieth-century life. Prerequisite: RL122. Fall.

RL205 Introduction to Church Leadership. 3 hours. This course provides the practical framework for developing and executing
leadership skills in a church setting. It is designed, in particular, to assist students
pursuing the Religion and Church Leadership major but can be of use to other students
as well. The course does not meet the Common Core leadership requirement and does
not meet the Tier Two Humanities requirement.

RL225 Philosophy of Religion. 3 hours. This is a study of the nature of religion and of the relation of philosophy
to theology. Attention is given to such problems as the existence of God, knowledge
of God, faith, religious language, evil, immortality, and eschatology. Cross-listed
with PL225. Prerequisite: RL122. Odd-numbered years.

RL260 Special Problems. 1-5 hours. This is an independent study or research on a subject of interest to an
individual student. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

RL268 Internship and Field Experiences. 1-3 hours.

RL290 Special Topics. 1-3 hours. This is an intermediate-level course on a topic not included in the regular
curriculum. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

RL301 Mission and Message of Jesus. 3 hours. This is a study of the four gospels—using the tools of critical scholarship—to
understand Jesus and his teachings and the faith of the early Christian community
which produced these writings. Prerequisite: RL122. Even-numbered Falls.

RL302 Paul and the Early Church. 3 hours. This is a study of the Pauline epistles, of the Acts of the Apostles, and
of non-orthodox Christian traditions that sought expression during the formative years
of Christianity. Prerequisite: RL122. Odd-numbered Falls.

RL303 The Prophets. 3 hours. This is a study of the origins of Old Testament prophecy and of the contributions
to the religion of Israel by Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. Prerequisite:
RL122. Odd-numbered Springs.

RL310 Biblical Literature and the Ancient World. 3 hours. This is a survey of the archaeological records and of the material history
of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Palestine, with emphasis on
their religions. Special attention will be given to the archaeological backgrounds
of the Old and New Testaments and of the development of biblical faith in relation
to its historical and cultural contents. Prerequisite: RL122.

RL314 World Religions Today. 3 hours. This is a study of the theoretical, practical, and sociological expressions
of religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam. Cross-listed with PL314. Prerequisite: RL122. Odd-numbered years.

RL331 History of Christianity I. 3 hours. This is a study of the Christian church from the close of the apostolic
age to the Reformation; attention is centered on the emergence of Christian theology,
on the evolution of ecclesiastical institutions, and on Christian biography. Prerequisites:
RL122 and Sophomore standing.

RL332 History of Christianity II. 3 hours. This is a study of selected topics in the history of the Christian church
from the Reformation to the present; attention is centered on theological developments,
on changes in ecclesiastical structures, and on Christian biography. Prerequisites:
RL122 and Sophomore standing.

RL335 History of American Methodism. 3 hours. This is a study of the development of English Methodism with focus of the
Methodist movement in America. Students consider the influences of major American
historical events on the church and the church's influence on historical, political,
and social developments in America. Prerequisite: RL122.

RL336 Thanatology. 3 hours. This is a cross-cultural study of many aspects of the phenomena of death
and dying, and of the associated rituals and processes accompanying them. Prerequisite:
RL122. Even-numbered years.

RL360 Special Problems. 1-5 hours. This is an independent study or research on a subject of interest to an
individual student. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

RL368 Internship and Field Experiences. 1-3 hours.

RL390 Special Topics. 1-3 hours. This is an advanced course on a topic not included in the regular curriculum.
Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

RL480 Religion Capstone. 3 hours. This course is open only to Seniors majoring in Religion, except by division
chair's permission.